£3.5m plan unveiled for market hall

Multi-million pound plans to transform a Mid Wales market hall into a business development have been unveiled by a body which promotes local and regional food produce.

The Mid Wales Food and Land Trust said it wanted to retain the Victorian heritage of the 149-year-old Grade II-listed market hall in Newtown.

The £3.5 million plan includes building a mezzanine first floor, to keep the mainly glass roof and provide offices and a cafe.

The indoor market hall was put up for sale because Powys County Council could no longer afford to meet the cost of maintenance and repairs.

Last summer councillors agreed to defer any decision on the future of the hall and now the Mid Wales Food and Land Trust hopes to take over the running of the building.

Cath Smith, executive director, said she had already got some grant funding from The Architectural and Heritage Fund and Welsh Assembly Government.

"Under the trust's proposals, a central wall running the length of the hall, a recent addition, would be removed to open up the ground floor to make more space available for market stalls," she said.

The trust said it hoped to fund the £3.5 million project with grants from the Welsh Assembly Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Wales' historic environment service, Cadw.

Mrs Smith said: "This used to be a magnificent hall and we want to return it to former glories while safeguarding the indoor market."

A spokesman for Powys County Council said plans for the market hall would be discussed by councillors in the next few months.